Transmitting and receiving a synchronization signal block

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses, methods, and systems are transmitting and/or receiving a synchronization signal block. One method includes receiving a synchronization signal block. The method includes detecting a primary synchronization signal and a broadcast channel of the synchronization signal block. Receiving the synchronization signal block includes receiving at least one synchronization signal block of multiple synchronization signal blocks within a time window and the broadcast channel includes multiple sub-bands.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.62/455,542 entitled “WIDEBAND PBCH AND SS BLOCK LOCATION FOR FLEXIBLERADIO COMMUNICATION” and filed on Feb. 6, 2017 for Hyejung Jung, whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to wirelesscommunications and more particularly relates to transmitting and/orreceiving a synchronization signal block.

BACKGROUND

The following abbreviations are herewith defined, at least some of whichare referred to within the following description: Third GenerationPartnership Project (“3GPP”), Fifth Generation (“5G”), AuthenticationAuthorization and Accounting (“AAA”), Positive-Acknowledgment (“ACK”),Acknowledged Mode (“AM”), Access and Mobility Management Function(“AMF”), Access Server (“AS”), Authentication Server Function (“AUSF”),Bandwidth (“BW”), Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (“C-RNTI”),Common Physical Downlink Control Channel (“C-PDCCH”), Dedicated ControlChannel (“DCCH”), Downlink (“DL”), Demodulation Reference Signal(“DMRS”), Domain Name System (“DNS”), Enhanced Mobile Broadband(“eMBB”), Evolved Node B (“eNB”), Enhanced Subscriber IdentificationModule (“eSIM”), Equipment Identity Register (“EIR”), Evolved PacketCore (“EPC”), European Telecommunications Standards Institute (“ETSI”),E-UTRAN Radio Access Bearer (“E-RAB”), Evolved-Universal TerrestrialRadio Access Network (“E-UTRAN”), Frequency Division Duplex (“FDD”),Frequency Division Multiple Access (“FDMA”), Fully Qualified Domain Name(“FQDN”), Global System For Mobile Communications Association (“GSMA”),Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (“HARQ”), Home Policy Control Function(“H-PCF”), Home Public Land Mobile Network (“HPLMN”), Identity orIdentifier or Identification (“ID”), International Mobile EquipmentIdentity (“IMEI”), International Mobile Subscriber Identity (“IMSI”),Internet-of-Things (“IoT”), Logical Channel Identifier (“LCID”), LongTerm Evolution (“LTE”), Multiple Access (“MA”), Medium Access Control(“MAC”), Modulation Coding Scheme (“MCS”), Mobile Country Code (“MCC”),Mobile Network Code (“MNC”), Machine Type Communication (“MTC”), MasterInformation Block (“MIB), Mobility Management (“MM”), MobilityManagement Entity (“MME”), Non-Access Stratum (“NAS”), Narrowband(“NB”), Negative-Acknowledgment (“NACK”) or (“NAK”), Network Entity(“NE”), Next Generation Node B (“gNB”), Orthogonal Frequency DivisionMultiplexing (“OFDM”), Over-the-Air (“OTA”), Physical Broadcast Channel(“PBCH”), Policy Control Function (“PCF”), Packet Data ConvergenceProtocol (“PDCP”), Protocol Data Unit (“PDU”), Public Land MobileNetwork (“PLMN”), Primary Synchronization Signal (“PSS”), Pointer(“PTR”), Quality of Service (“QoS”), Random Access Channel (“RACH”),Radio Access Technology (“RAT”), Resource Block (“RB”), Radio LinkControl (“RLC”), Radio Link Failure (“RLF”), Radio Network Layer(“RNL”), Radio Resource Control (“RRC”), Radio Resource Management(“RRM”), Radio Access Network (“RAN”), Reference Signal Received Power(“RSRP”), Reference Signal Received Quality (“RSRQ”), Receive (“RX”),Secondary Synchronization Signal (“SSS”), Service Data Unit (“SDU”),Sequence Number (“SN”), Single Carrier Frequency Division MultipleAccess (“SC-FDMA”), Subscriber Management Function (“SMF”),Signal-to-Noise Ratio (“SNR”), Subscriber Identity Module (“SIM”),System Information Block (“SIB”), Sidelink (“SL”), Shared Channel(“SCH”), Synchronization Signal (“SS”), Subscription ConcealedIdentifier (“SUCI”), Subscription Permanent Identifier (“SUPI”), TimingAdvance Group (“TAG”), Tracking Area (“TA”), Time Division Duplex(“TDD”), Transport Network Layer (“TNL”), Transmission Time Interval(“TTI”), Transmit (“TX”), Unified Data Management (“UDM”), User DataRepository (“UDR”), User Entity/Equipment (Mobile Terminal) (“UE”),Universal Integrated Circuit Card (“UICC”), Uplink (“UL”), UniversalMobile Telecommunications System (“UMTS”), User Plane Function (“UPF”),Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (“URLLC”), Universal SubscriberIdentity Module (“USIM”), Visited Policy Control Function (“V-PCF”),Visited Public Land Mobile Network (“VPLMN”), and WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (“WiMAX”). As used herein,“HARQ-ACK” may represent collectively the Positive Acknowledge (“ACK”)and the Negative Acknowledge (“NAK”). ACK means that a TB is correctlyreceived while NAK means a TB is erroneously received.

In certain wireless communications networks, a synchronization signalblock may be transmitted and/or received. In such networks, thesynchronization signal block may include a primary synchronizationsignal.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Methods for receiving a synchronization signal block are disclosed.Apparatuses and systems also perform the functions of the apparatus. Inone embodiment, the method includes receiving a synchronization signalblock. In various embodiments, the method includes detecting a primarysynchronization signal and a broadcast channel of the synchronizationsignal block. In some embodiments, receiving the synchronization signalblock includes receiving at least one synchronization signal block ofmultiple synchronization signal blocks within a time window and thebroadcast channel includes multiple sub-bands.

In certain embodiments, at least one sub-band of the multiple sub-bandscarries a self-decodable unit. In one embodiment, the method includesdetecting at least one secondary synchronization signal of thesynchronization signal block. In a further embodiment, each sub-band ofthe multiple sub-bands carries at least one self-decodable unit. Incertain embodiments, a first sub-band of the multiple sub-bands is asame size as a second sub-band of the multiple sub-bands. In variousembodiments, a first sub-band of the multiple sub-bands is a differentsize than a second sub-band of the multiple sub-bands. In someembodiments, a first sub-band of the multiple sub-bands is located at acentral portion of the broadcast channel, and a second sub-band of themultiple sub-bands is located on both sides of the central portion. Incertain embodiments, the method includes receiving only the firstsub-band and decoding channel bits transmitted on the first sub-band.

In various embodiments, the at least one self-decodable unit includescoded and rate-matched channel bits. In some embodiments, the primarysynchronization signal, at least one secondary synchronization signal,and the broadcast channel are transmitted in one slot. In certainembodiments, the method includes determining slot and frame timinginformation from the synchronization signal block. In variousembodiments, the time window including the multiple synchronizationsignal blocks occurs periodically. In some embodiments, the time windowincludes 5 ms or 10 ms. In certain embodiments, the broadcast channelcarries a system frame number. In various embodiments, the broadcastchannel carries slot and frame timing related information.

In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving a common controlchannel in a first slot; determining whether a synchronization signalblock is transmitted in a downlink region of the first slot based on thecommon control channel; and identifying available downlink resourceelements for a physical downlink shared channel or a physical downlinkcontrol channel in the downlink region of the first slot. In certainembodiments, the first slot is within a synchronization signal blocktransmission window, and the synchronization signal block transmissionwindow includes at least one slot for transmitting synchronizationsignal blocks. In various embodiments, a size of a downlink controlregion of the first slot is different from a size of a downlink controlregion of a second slot, and the second slot is not within thesynchronization signal block transmission window.

An apparatus for receiving a synchronization signal block, in oneembodiment, includes a receiver that receives a synchronization signalblock. The apparatus, in certain embodiments, includes a processor thatdetects a primary synchronization signal and a broadcast channel of thesynchronization signal block. In some embodiments, receiving thesynchronization signal block includes receiving at least onesynchronization signal block of multiple synchronization signal blockswithin a time window and the broadcast channel includes multiplesub-bands.

One method for transmitting a synchronization signal block includesdetermining a synchronization signal block including a primarysynchronization signal and a broadcast channel. In various embodiments,the method includes transmitting the synchronization signal block. Incertain embodiments, transmitting the synchronization signal blockincludes transmitting multiple synchronization signal blocks within atime window and the broadcast channel includes multiple sub-bands.

In certain embodiments, at least one sub-band of the multiple sub-bandscarries a self-decodable unit. In one embodiment, the method includesdetermining at least one secondary synchronization signal of thesynchronization signal block. In a further embodiment, each sub-band ofthe multiple sub-bands carries at least one self-decodable unit. Incertain embodiments, a first sub-band of the multiple sub-bands is asame size as a second sub-band of the multiple sub-bands. In variousembodiments, a first sub-band of the multiple sub-bands is a differentsize than a second sub-band of the multiple sub-bands. In someembodiments, a first sub-band of the multiple sub-bands is located at acentral portion of the broadcast channel, and a second sub-band of themultiple sub-bands is located on both sides of the central portion.

In various embodiments, the at least one self-decodable unit includescoded and rate-matched channel bits. In some embodiments, the primarysynchronization signal, at least one secondary synchronization signal,and the broadcast channel are transmitted in one slot. In certainembodiments, slot and frame timing information are determined from thesynchronization signal block. In various embodiments, the time windowincluding the multiple synchronization signal blocks occursperiodically. In some embodiments, the time window includes 5 ms or 10ms. In certain embodiments, the broadcast channel carries a system framenumber. In various embodiments, the broadcast channel carries slot andframe timing related information.

In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting a common controlchannel in a first slot. In certain embodiments, the first slot iswithin a synchronization signal block transmission window, and thesynchronization signal block transmission window includes at least oneslot for transmitting synchronization signal blocks. In variousembodiments, a size of a downlink control region of the first slot isdifferent from a size of a downlink control region of a second slot, andthe second slot is not within the synchronization signal blocktransmission window.

An apparatus for transmitting a synchronization signal block, in oneembodiment, includes a processor that determines a synchronizationsignal block including a primary synchronization signal and a broadcastchannel. In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a transmitterthat transmits the synchronization signal block. In various embodiments,the transmitter transmitting the synchronization signal block includesthe transmitter transmitting multiple synchronization signal blockswithin a time window and the broadcast channel includes multiplesub-bands.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of the embodiments briefly described abovewill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only some embodiments and are not therefore to be considered tobe limiting of scope, the embodiments will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of awireless communication system for transmitting and/or receiving asynchronization signal block;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of anapparatus that may be used for receiving a synchronization signal block;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of anapparatus that may be used for transmitting a synchronization signalblock;

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of wideband PBCH carried by foursymbols;

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of wideband PBCH carried by twosymbols;

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of DMRS multiplexing;

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of transmissions in a slot;

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of SS block transmissions;

FIG. 9 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment ofa method for receiving a synchronization signal block; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment ofa method for transmitting a synchronization signal block.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of theembodiments may be embodied as a system, apparatus, method, or programproduct. Accordingly, embodiments may take the form of an entirelyhardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (includingfirmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodimentcombining software and hardware aspects that may all generally bereferred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore,embodiments may take the form of a program product embodied in one ormore computer readable storage devices storing machine readable code,computer readable code, and/or program code, referred hereafter as code.The storage devices may be tangible, non-transitory, and/ornon-transmission. The storage devices may not embody signals. In acertain embodiment, the storage devices only employ signals foraccessing code.

Certain of the functional units described in this specification may belabeled as modules, in order to more particularly emphasize theirimplementation independence. For example, a module may be implemented asa hardware circuit comprising custom very-large-scale integration(“VLSI”) circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such aslogic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module mayalso be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as fieldprogrammable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logicdevices or the like.

Modules may also be implemented in code and/or software for execution byvarious types of processors. An identified module of code may, forinstance, include one or more physical or logical blocks of executablecode which may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, orfunction. Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module need notbe physically located together, but may include disparate instructionsstored in different locations which, when joined logically together,include the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module.

Indeed, a module of code may be a single instruction, or manyinstructions, and may even be distributed over several different codesegments, among different programs, and across several memory devices.Similarly, operational data may be identified and illustrated hereinwithin modules, and may be embodied in any suitable form and organizedwithin any suitable type of data structure. The operational data may becollected as a single data set, or may be distributed over differentlocations including over different computer readable storage devices.Where a module or portions of a module are implemented in software, thesoftware portions are stored on one or more computer readable storagedevices.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium may be utilized.The computer readable medium may be a computer readable storage medium.The computer readable storage medium may be a storage device storing thecode. The storage device may be, for example, but not limited to, anelectronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, holographic,micromechanical, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or anysuitable combination of the foregoing.

More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the storage devicewould include the following: an electrical connection having one or morewires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory(“RAM”), a read-only memory (“ROM”), an erasable programmable read-onlymemory (“EPROM” or Flash memory), a portable compact disc read-onlymemory (“CD-ROM”), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device,or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of thisdocument, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible mediumthat can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Code for carrying out operations for embodiments may be any number oflines and may be written in any combination of one or more programminglanguages including an object oriented programming language such asPython, Ruby, Java, Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and conventionalprocedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language,or the like, and/or machine languages such as assembly languages. Thecode may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user'scomputer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user'scomputer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remotecomputer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may beconnected to the user's computer through any type of network, includinga local area network (“LAN”) or a wide area network (“WAN”), or theconnection may be made to an external computer (for example, through theInternet using an Internet Service Provider).

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases“in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughoutthis specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the sameembodiment, but mean “one or more but not all embodiments” unlessexpressly specified otherwise. The terms “including,” “comprising,”“having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to,”unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of itemsdoes not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive,unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the”also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics ofthe embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. In the followingdescription, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples ofprogramming, software modules, user selections, network transactions,database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardwarecircuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide a thorough understanding ofembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however,that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notshown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of anembodiment.

Aspects of the embodiments are described below with reference toschematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams of methods,apparatuses, systems, and program products according to embodiments. Itwill be understood that each block of the schematic flowchart diagramsand/or schematic block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theschematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams, can beimplemented by code. The code may be provided to a processor of ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such thatthe instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer orother programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the schematic flowchartdiagrams and/or schematic block diagrams block or blocks.

The code may also be stored in a storage device that can direct acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devicesto function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored inthe storage device produce an article of manufacture includinginstructions which implement the function/act specified in the schematicflowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams block or blocks.

The code may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operationalsteps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus orother devices to produce a computer implemented process such that thecode which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatusprovide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in theflowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams in theFigures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation ofpossible implementations of apparatuses, systems, methods and programproducts according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block inthe schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams mayrepresent a module, segment, or portion of code, which includes one ormore executable instructions of the code for implementing the specifiedlogical function(s).

It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, thefunctions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in theFigures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, beexecuted substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes beexecuted in the reverse order, depending upon the functionalityinvolved. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalentin function, logic, or effect to one or more blocks, or portionsthereof, of the illustrated Figures.

Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in theflowchart and/or block diagrams, they are understood not to limit thescope of the corresponding embodiments. Indeed, some arrows or otherconnectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the depictedembodiment. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoringperiod of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depictedembodiment. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagramsand/or flowchart diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the blockdiagrams and/or flowchart diagrams, can be implemented by specialpurpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions oracts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and code.

The description of elements in each figure may refer to elements ofproceeding figures. Like numbers refer to like elements in all figures,including alternate embodiments of like elements.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a wireless communication system 100 fortransmitting and/or receiving a synchronization signal block. In oneembodiment, the wireless communication system 100 includes remote units102 and network units 104. Even though a specific number of remote units102 and network units 104 are depicted in FIG. 1, one of skill in theart will recognize that any number of remote units 102 and network units104 may be included in the wireless communication system 100.

In one embodiment, the remote units 102 may include computing devices,such as desktop computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants(“PDAs”), tablet computers, smart phones, smart televisions (e.g.,televisions connected to the Internet), set-top boxes, game consoles,security systems (including security cameras), vehicle on-boardcomputers, network devices (e.g., routers, switches, modems), IoTdevices, or the like. In some embodiments, the remote units 102 includewearable devices, such as smart watches, fitness bands, opticalhead-mounted displays, or the like. Moreover, the remote units 102 maybe referred to as subscriber units, mobiles, mobile stations, users,terminals, mobile terminals, fixed terminals, subscriber stations, UE,user terminals, a device, or by other terminology used in the art. Theremote units 102 may communicate directly with one or more of thenetwork units 104 via UL communication signals. In various embodiments,the remote units 102 may communicate directly with one or more otherremote units 102.

The network units 104 may be distributed over a geographic region. Incertain embodiments, a network unit 104 may also be referred to as anaccess point, an access terminal, a base, a base unit, a base station, aNode-B, an eNB, a gNB, a Home Node-B, a relay node, a device, a networkdevice, an infrastructure device, or by any other terminology used inthe art. The network units 104 are generally part of a radio accessnetwork that includes one or more controllers communicably coupled toone or more corresponding network units 104. The radio access network isgenerally communicably coupled to one or more core networks, which maybe coupled to other networks, like the Internet and public switchedtelephone networks, among other networks. These and other elements ofradio access and core networks are not illustrated but are well knowngenerally by those having ordinary skill in the art. In someembodiments, a network unit 104 may include one or more of the followingnetwork components an eNB, a gNB, an AMF, a DB, an MME, a PCF, a UDR, aUPF, a serving gateway, and/or a UDM.

In one implementation, the wireless communication system 100 iscompliant with the LTE of the 3GPP protocol, wherein the network unit104 transmits using an OFDM modulation scheme on the DL and the remoteunits 102 transmit on the UL using a SC-FDMA scheme or an OFDM scheme.More generally, however, the wireless communication system 100 mayimplement some other open or proprietary communication protocol, forexample, WiMAX, among other protocols. The present disclosure is notintended to be limited to the implementation of any particular wirelesscommunication system architecture or protocol.

The network units 104 may serve a number of remote units 102 within aserving area, for example, a cell or a cell sector via a wirelesscommunication link. The network units 104 transmit DL communicationsignals to serve the remote units 102 in the time, frequency, and/orspatial domain.

In certain embodiments, a remote unit 102 may receive a synchronizationsignal block. In various embodiments, the remote unit 102 may detect aprimary synchronization signal and a broadcast channel of thesynchronization signal block. In some embodiments, receiving thesynchronization signal block includes receiving at least onesynchronization signal block of multiple synchronization signal blockswithin a time window and the broadcast channel includes multiplesub-bands. Accordingly, a remote unit 102 may be used for receiving asynchronization signal block.

In various embodiments, a network unit 104 may determine asynchronization signal block including a primary synchronization signaland a broadcast channel. In various embodiments, the network unit 104may transmit the synchronization signal block. In certain embodiments,transmitting the synchronization signal block includes transmittingmultiple synchronization signal blocks within a time window and thebroadcast channel includes multiple sub-bands. Accordingly, a networkunit 104 may be used for transmitting a synchronization signal block.

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of an apparatus 200 that may be used forreceiving a synchronization signal block. The apparatus 200 includes oneembodiment of the remote unit 102. Furthermore, the remote unit 102 mayinclude a processor 202, a memory 204, an input device 206, a display208, a transmitter 210, and a receiver 212. In some embodiments, theinput device 206 and the display 208 are combined into a single device,such as a touchscreen. In certain embodiments, the remote unit 102 maynot include any input device 206 and/or display 208. In variousembodiments, the remote unit 102 may include one or more of theprocessor 202, the memory 204, the transmitter 210, and the receiver212, and may not include the input device 206 and/or the display 208.

The processor 202, in one embodiment, may include any known controllercapable of executing computer-readable instructions and/or capable ofperforming logical operations. For example, the processor 202 may be amicrocontroller, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (“CPU”), agraphics processing unit (“GPU”), an auxiliary processing unit, a fieldprogrammable gate array (“FPGA”), or similar programmable controller. Insome embodiments, the processor 202 executes instructions stored in thememory 204 to perform the methods and routines described herein. Incertain embodiments, the processor 202 may detect a primarysynchronization signal and a broadcast channel of the synchronizationsignal block. In some embodiments, the broadcast channel includes atleast one sub-band, and the at least one sub-band carries aself-decodable unit. The processor 202 is communicatively coupled to thememory 204, the input device 206, the display 208, the transmitter 210,and the receiver 212.

The memory 204, in one embodiment, is a computer readable storagemedium. In some embodiments, the memory 204 includes volatile computerstorage media. For example, the memory 204 may include a RAM, includingdynamic RAM (“DRAM”), synchronous dynamic RAM (“SDRAM”), and/or staticRAM (“SRAM”). In some embodiments, the memory 204 includes non-volatilecomputer storage media. For example, the memory 204 may include a harddisk drive, a flash memory, or any other suitable non-volatile computerstorage device. In some embodiments, the memory 204 includes bothvolatile and non-volatile computer storage media. In some embodiments,the memory 204 stores data relating to synchronization signal blocks. Insome embodiments, the memory 204 also stores program code and relateddata, such as an operating system or other controller algorithmsoperating on the remote unit 102.

The input device 206, in one embodiment, may include any known computerinput device including a touch panel, a button, a keyboard, a stylus, amicrophone, or the like. In some embodiments, the input device 206 maybe integrated with the display 208, for example, as a touchscreen orsimilar touch-sensitive display. In some embodiments, the input device206 includes a touchscreen such that text may be input using a virtualkeyboard displayed on the touchscreen and/or by handwriting on thetouchscreen. In some embodiments, the input device 206 includes two ormore different devices, such as a keyboard and a touch panel.

The display 208, in one embodiment, may include any known electronicallycontrollable display or display device. The display 208 may be designedto output visual, audible, and/or haptic signals. In some embodiments,the display 208 includes an electronic display capable of outputtingvisual data to a user. For example, the display 208 may include, but isnot limited to, an LCD display, an LED display, an OLED display, aprojector, or similar display device capable of outputting images, text,or the like to a user. As another, non-limiting, example, the display208 may include a wearable display such as a smart watch, smart glasses,a heads-up display, or the like. Further, the display 208 may be acomponent of a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, a television,a table computer, a notebook (laptop) computer, a personal computer, avehicle dashboard, or the like.

In certain embodiments, the display 208 includes one or more speakersfor producing sound. For example, the display 208 may produce an audiblealert or notification (e.g., a beep or chime). In some embodiments, thedisplay 208 includes one or more haptic devices for producingvibrations, motion, or other haptic feedback. In some embodiments, allor portions of the display 208 may be integrated with the input device206. For example, the input device 206 and display 208 may form atouchscreen or similar touch-sensitive display. In other embodiments,the display 208 may be located near the input device 206.

The transmitter 210 is used to provide UL communication signals to thenetwork unit 104 and the receiver 212 is used to receive DLcommunication signals from the network unit 104. In one embodiment, thereceiver 212 may receive a synchronization signal block. In someembodiments, the receiver 212 receiving the synchronization signal blockincludes the receiver 212 receiving at least one synchronization signalblock of multiple synchronization signal blocks within a time window andthe broadcast channel includes multiple sub-bands. In some embodiments,the primary synchronization signal, at least one secondarysynchronization signal, and the broadcast channel are transmitted in oneslot. In certain embodiments, the method includes determining slot andframe timing information from the synchronization signal block. Invarious embodiments, the time window including the multiplesynchronization signal blocks occurs periodically. In some embodiments,the time window includes 5 ms or 10 ms. Although only one transmitter210 and one receiver 212 are illustrated, the remote unit 102 may haveany suitable number of transmitters 210 and receivers 212. Thetransmitter 210 and the receiver 212 may be any suitable type oftransmitters and receivers. In one embodiment, the transmitter 210 andthe receiver 212 may be part of a transceiver.

FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of an apparatus 300 that may be used fortransmitting a synchronization signal block. The apparatus 300 includesone embodiment of the network unit 104. Furthermore, the network unit104 may include a processor 302, a memory 304, an input device 306, adisplay 308, a transmitter 310, and a receiver 312. As may beappreciated, the processor 302, the memory 304, the input device 306,the display 308, the transmitter 310, and the receiver 312 may besubstantially similar to the processor 202, the memory 204, the inputdevice 206, the display 208, the transmitter 210, and the receiver 212of the remote unit 102, respectively.

In various embodiments, the processor 302 may determine asynchronization signal block including a primary synchronization signaland a broadcast channel. In certain embodiments, the transmitter 310 maytransmit the synchronization signal block. In some embodiments, thetransmitter 310 transmitting the synchronization signal block includesthe transmitter 310 transmitting multiple synchronization signal blockswithin a time window and the broadcast channel includes multiplesub-bands. In some embodiments, the primary synchronization signal, atleast one secondary synchronization signal, and the broadcast channelare transmitted in one slot. In certain embodiments, slot and frametiming information are determined from the synchronization signal block.In various embodiments, the time window including the multiplesynchronization signal blocks occurs periodically. In some embodiments,the time window includes 5 ms or 10 ms. In various embodiments, thebroadcast channel includes at least one sub-band, and the at least onesub-band carries a self-decodable unit. Although only one transmitter310 and one receiver 312 are illustrated, the network unit 104 may haveany suitable number of transmitters 310 and receivers 312. Thetransmitter 310 and the receiver 312 may be any suitable type oftransmitters and receivers. In one embodiment, the transmitter 310 andthe receiver 312 may be part of a transceiver.

In certain embodiments, a minimum channel bandwidth of various networks(e.g., 5G RAT) may be larger than a minimum channel bandwidth of othernetworks (e.g., LTE, 1.4 MHz). In various embodiments, a transmissionbandwidth of SS and/or PBCH of certain networks (e.g., 5G RAT) may bewider than a transmission bandwidth of other networks (e.g., LTE PSSand/or SSS, 1.08 MHz including guard subcarriers). In some embodiments,remote units 102 may operate in a network with a limited bandwidth(e.g., a receiver bandwidth of 1.4 MHz) and/or with a wideband bandwidth(e.g., a receiver bandwidth larger than 1.4 MHz), and a common PBCH foroperation with the limited bandwidth and the wideband bandwidth isbeneficial for efficient radio resource utilization.

In some embodiments, when PSS and/or SSS are transmitted with narrowbeams, many SS blocks (each of which carries beamformed PSS and/or SSS)may be transmitted in order to cover multiple spatial directions. In oneembodiment, an idle mode remote unit 102 may assume that an SS burst setincluding one or more SS blocks (e.g., up to two hundred SS blocks) istransmitted with 80 ms periodicity, and the remote unit 102 may detectone (or multiple) SS block transmitted with suitable transmit beams forthe remote unit 102. In such embodiments, two hundred vertical and/orazimuth narrow beams may be considered to cover one sector; however, itmay be difficult to predetermine locations of two hundred SS blocks,considering dynamic UL and/or DL operation in TDD. In variousembodiments, an actual number of SS blocks may vary depending on anetwork implementation. In some embodiments, if a network entity employswide beams for PSS and/or SSS transmission, the network entity maytransmit a smaller number of SS blocks than two hundred SS blocks. Insuch embodiments, some flexibility to locate SS blocks may be availablewithout resulting in too much signaling overhead for indicating the SSblock location. In various embodiments, PBCH may be transmitted withinSS blocks.

In certain embodiments, PBCH may be transmitted in 6 RBs of 1.08 MHzbandwidth, and one self-decodable unit of channel bits may betransmitted on 4 consecutive OFDM symbols. In some embodiments, such asdynamic TDD operation and/or URLLC services in 5G RAT, longertransmission duration may not be used for physical channels which aretransmitted on predefined and/or known locations (e.g., PBCH), becauseit may restrict UL and/or DL switching flexibility.

In various embodiments, PSS and/or SSS may be transmitted once per a 5ms periodicity, and, therefore, it may be difficult to efficientlylocate multiple SS blocks (e.g., up to two hundred SS blocks) within aperiodically transmitted SS burst set.

In some embodiments, for energy-efficient network operation, a networkmay minimize an “always-on” signal in the network. In variousembodiments, a NE may set a periodicity of SS blocks including one ormore synchronization signals and PBCH to a larger value. In suchembodiments, a remote unit 102 may detect a cell network quickly evenwith an NE's sparse transmission of SS blocks in time. In certainembodiments, for RRC idle mode remote units 102, the remote units 102may detect and/or measure a cell network based on one or more SS blocksthat each include one or more SS and PBCH.

In some embodiments, a transmission BW for PSS and/or SSS may bedetermined to provide good one-shot detection probability at −6 dBreceived baseband SNR with less than 1% false alarm rate. In suchembodiments, for a given SNR per sub-carrier and a given subcarrierspacing, a larger transmission BW (and a larger number of subcarriersand a longer PSS and/or SSS sequence) for PSS and/or SSS may providebetter detection performance, as it may provide a larger processinggain. In some embodiments, length-63 PSS sequences may achieve a 1%missed detection rate at 3 dB SNR, while length-251 Zadoff-Chu (“ZC”)sequence based PSS may have a −4.5 dB SNR for a 1% missed detectionrate. In one embodiment, with subcarrier mapping of PSS and 15 KHzsubcarrier spacing, the transmission BW for PSS may be set to 8.64 MHz(e.g., 48 RBs assuming 12 subcarriers in one RB), which is 8 times widerthan certain SS bandwidths (e.g., 1.08 MHz, 6 RB). In such embodiments,assuming a same transmission BW for both PSS and SSS, certain SSSsequences may be approximately 8 times longer than other SSS, which maybe beneficial for improving one-shot detection performance. In certainembodiments, applying a same set of PSS and/or SSS sequences as used incertain above embodiments to a frequency range above 6 GHz, thetransmission BW for PSS and/or SSS may be 69.12 MHz with 120 KHzsubcarrier spacing in the frequency range above 6 GHz.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of wideband PBCH 400 carried by foursymbols. Specifically, a first transmission 402 (e.g., PBCHtransmission) and a second transmission 404 (e.g., PBCH transmission)are illustrated. The first transmission 402 may be transmitted in afirst time interval 406 that is part of an SS burst set periodicity 408.In some embodiments, the first time interval 406 may be approximately 20ms; while in other embodiments, the first time interval 406 may have adifferent time interval. In various embodiments, the SS burst setperiodicity 408 may be approximately 80 ms; while in other embodiments,the SS burst set periodicity 408 may have a different time interval. Incertain embodiments, the first transmission 402 may include a firstsymbol RV0 410, a second symbol RV1 412, a third symbol RV2 414, and afourth symbol RV3 416. In some embodiments, the first symbol RV0 410,the second symbol RV1 412, the third symbol RV2 414, and the fourthsymbol RV3 416 may each have a bandwidth 418. In various embodiments,the bandwidth 418 may be 12 RBs; while, in other embodiments, thebandwidth 418 may have a different number of RBs. In certainembodiments, the first symbol RV0 410 and the second symbol RV1 412(e.g., a first sub-band) are located at a central frequency portion ofthe first transmission 402, and the third symbol RV2 414 and the forthsymbol RV3 416 (e.g., a second sub-band) are located on both sides ofthe central frequency portion. In such embodiments, the first sub-bandand the second sub-band may be substantially the same size; while, inother embodiments, the first sub-band and the second sub-band may bedifferent in size. In some embodiments, only the first sub-band may bereceived and/or decoded by a remote unit 102; while, in otherembodiments, both the first sub-band and the second sub-band may bereceived and/or decoded by a remote unit 102. In various embodiments,the first sub-band and the second sub-band are both self-decodableunits.

In certain embodiments, the second transmission 404 may include thefirst symbol RV0 410, the second symbol RV1 412, the third symbol RV2414, and the fourth symbol RV3 416. In some embodiments, the firstsymbol RV0 410, the second symbol RV1 412, the third symbol RV2 414, andthe fourth symbol RV3 416 may each have the bandwidth 418. In certainembodiments, the third symbol RV2 414 and the forth symbol RV3 416(e.g., a first sub-band) are located at a central frequency portion ofthe second transmission 404, and the first symbol RV0 410 and the secondsymbol RV1 412 (e.g., a second sub-band) are located on both sides ofthe central frequency portion. In such embodiments, the first sub-bandand the second sub-band may be substantially the same size; while, inother embodiments, the first sub-band and the second sub-band may bedifferent in size. In some embodiments, only the first sub-band may bereceived and/or decoded by a remote unit 102; while, in otherembodiments, both the first sub-band and the second sub-band may bereceived and/or decoded by a remote unit 102. In various embodiments,the first sub-band and the second sub-band are both self-decodableunits. As may be appreciated, a remote unit 102 receiving the firstsub-band of the first transmission 402 and the first sub-band of thesecond transmission 404 may receive the first symbol RV0 410, the secondsymbol RV1 412, the third symbol RV2 414, and the fourth symbol RV3 416.Furthermore, a remote unit 102 receiving the first and second sub-bandsof the first transmission 402 and the first and second sub-bands of thesecond transmission 404 may receive the first symbol RV0 410, the secondsymbol RV1 412, the third symbol RV2 414, and the fourth symbol RV3 416,wherein each symbol is received twice in different time and frequencyresources.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of wideband PBCH 500 carried by twosymbols. Specifically, a first transmission 502 (e.g., PBCHtransmission) and a second transmission 504 (e.g., PBCH transmission)are illustrated. The first transmission 502 may be transmitted in afirst time interval 506 that is part of an SS burst set periodicity 508.In some embodiments, the first time interval 506 may be approximately 20ms; while in other embodiments, the first time interval 506 may have adifferent time interval. In various embodiments, the SS burst setperiodicity 508 may be approximately 80 ms; while in other embodiments,the SS burst set periodicity 508 may have a different time interval. Incertain embodiments, the first transmission 502 may include a firstsymbol RV0 510 and a second symbol RV1 512. In various embodiments, thesecond transmission 504 may include a third symbol RV2 514 and a fourthsymbol RV3 516. In some embodiments, the first symbol RV0 510, thesecond symbol RV1 512, the third symbol RV2 514, and the fourth symbolRV3 516 may each have a bandwidth 518. In various embodiments, thebandwidth 518 may be 24 RBs; while, in other embodiments, the bandwidth518 may have a different number of RBs. In certain embodiments, thefirst symbol RV0 510 (e.g., a first sub-band) is located at a centralfrequency portion of the first transmission 502, and the second symbolRV1 512 (e.g., a second sub-band) is located on both sides of thecentral frequency portion. In such embodiments, the first sub-band andthe second sub-band may be substantially the same size; while, in otherembodiments, the first sub-band and the second sub-band may be differentin size. In some embodiments, only the first sub-band may be receivedand/or decoded by a remote unit 102; while, in other embodiments, boththe first sub-band and the second sub-band may be received and/ordecoded by a remote unit 102. In various embodiments, the first sub-bandand the second sub-band are both self-decodable units.

In certain embodiments, the second transmission 504 may include thethird symbol RV2 514 and the fourth symbol RV3 516. In some embodiments,the third symbol RV2 514 (e.g., a first sub-band) is located at acentral frequency portion of the second transmission 504, and the fourthsymbol RV3 516 (e.g., a second sub-band) is located on both sides of thecentral frequency portion. In such embodiments, the first sub-band andthe second sub-band may be substantially the same size; while, in otherembodiments, the first sub-band and the second sub-band may be differentin size. In some embodiments, only the first sub-band may be receivedand/or decoded by a remote unit 102; while, in other embodiments, boththe first sub-band and the second sub-band may be received and/ordecoded by a remote unit 102. In various embodiments, the first sub-bandand the second sub-band are both self-decodable units. As may beappreciated, a remote unit 102 receiving the first sub-band of the firsttransmission 502 and the first sub-band of the second transmission 504may receive the first symbol RV0 510 and the third symbol RV2 514.Furthermore, a remote unit 102 receiving the first and second sub-bandsof the first transmission 502 and the first and second sub-bands of thesecond transmission 504 may receive the first symbol RV0 510, the secondsymbol RV1 512, the third symbol RV2 514, and the fourth symbol RV3 516.

In some embodiments, similar to PSS and/or SSS, PBCH may be transmittedwith predefined subcarrier spacing and a predefined transmission BW, andthe PBCH transmission BW may be the same as the SS transmission BW. Invarious embodiments, wideband PBCH transmission may be on 2 OFDM symbolsper PBCH TTI (e.g., FIG. 5), for example, 48 RB PBCH BW, equivalently,8.64 MHz PBCH BW for a frequency range below 6 GHz and 69.12 MHz PBCH BWfor a frequency range above 6 GHz, may achieve similar coding rate asLTE PBCH (e.g., 6 RB PBCH BW, 4 OFDM symbols per frame, 4 frame TTI). Iftwo PBCH OFDM symbols are transmitted on different frames as shown inFIG. 5, time diversity may be achieved. Furthermore, widebandtransmission may exploit frequency diversity, and short PBCHtransmission duration may enable flexible UL and/or DL TDD operationeven when PBCH is transmitted in a predefined time instance.

In one embodiment, PBCH may be transmitted at predefined time (e.g.frame, slot, subframe, and/or OFDM symbols) and frequency radioresources. In some embodiments, once a remote unit 102 detects an SSblock and acquires symbol, slot, and/or frame timing information fromthe detected SS block, the remote unit 102 may locate and/or receivePBCH based on the acquired timing information. In such embodiments, thismay enable PBCH transmission sparser than SS in time. In certainembodiments, a payload in PBCH may include slot and/or frame timingrelated information (e.g., symbol index and/or slot index). In suchembodiments, a remote unit 102 may acquire symbol timing informationfrom the detected SS block and decode PBCH based on the acquired symboltiming in order to obtain slot and/or frame timing information.

In one embodiment, wideband PBCH includes two sub-bands with the same ordifferent sizes, and one or more self-decodable segmentation units ofcoded and/or rate-matched PBCH channels bits transmitted on eachsub-band. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates 4 symbol PBCH and FIG. 5illustrates 2 symbol PBCH. In some embodiments, a few subcarriersbetween two sub-bands are reserved as guard subcarriers. In variousembodiments, for a remote unit 102 operated with a smaller bandwidth(e.g., 24 RBs), narrow bandwidth (e.g., 24 RBs), and/or beingbandlimited (e.g., 24 RBs), the remote unit 102 may receive only thecenter sub-band of wideband PBCH, and may perform decoding of redundancyversions (“RVs”) transmitted on the center sub-band. In certainembodiments, such as with 2 symbol PBCH illustrated in FIG. 5, anarrowband remote unit 102 may combine RV0 510 and RV2 514 channel bitsfor PBCH decoding. In such embodiments, a narrowband operation may occurfor remote units 102 with limited bandwidth capability and/or remoteunits 102 in a power saving mode. In some embodiments, such as for powersaving remote units 102, a remote unit 102 operating bandwidth may bereduced to 5 MHz after the remote unit 102 performs an initial accesswith a 10 MHz bandwidth. In another embodiment, mapping of rate-matchedPBCH channel coded bits to REs of a sub-band, mapping of a portion ofPBCH channel coded bits to REs of a sub-band, and/or mapping of one ormore rate-matched PBCH channel coded bits to a portion of REs of asub-band (located approximately symmetric around a synchronizationraster location—which may correspond to a central frequency portion of aPBCH transmission on a carrier) may be invariant to a PBCH transmissionbandwidth. In certain embodiments, a few subcarriers around a sub-bandmay be reserved as guard subcarriers. In such embodiments, this mayenable narrow bandwidth capable remote units 102, bandlimited capableremote units 102, and/or remote units 102 operating with a narrowbandwidth to receive PBCH in a narrow bandwidth and/or combine receivedPBCH REs on multiple PBCH symbols without different PBCH RE mapping formultiple PBCH transmission bandwidths.

In various embodiments, in order to decouple PSS and/or SSS periodicityand beamforming from PBCH periodicity and beamforming, PBCH DMRS may betransmitted together with PBCH data instead of using PSS and/or SSS asDMRS for PBCH. In one embodiment, while one transmit beam is used forone PSS and/or SSS instance and 48 PSS and/or SSS instances exist withinan SS period of 80 ms, 48 transmit beams may be used on one widebandPBCH symbol via beam cycling and 4 PBCH symbols may exist within 80 msTTI. In some embodiments, such as for the 4 symbol wideband PBCH of FIG.4, DMRS of PBCH may be multiplexed with PBCH data in the frequencydomain as shown in FIG. 6.

Specifically, FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of DMRS multiplexing600. FIG. 6 illustrates two adjacent OFDM symbols 602 spanning abandwidth 604 (e.g., 1 RB) over a time period 606 (e.g., two OFDM symbolduration). With the bandwidth, certain of the OFDM symbols 602 are usedto carry DMRS. In particular, OFDM subcarriers 608 are used to carryDMRS. Because the DMRS may be transmitted on the same subcarriers of 2consecutive OFDM symbols 602, a remote unit 102 may performfrequency-domain frequency offset estimation and/or compensation bycomparing phase rotation of the DMRS on the same DMRS subcarriers of twoOFDM symbols 602.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of transmissions 700 in a slot 702over a bandwidth 704. Specifically, the slot 702 may include PBCH 706,PSS 708, SSS 710, C-PDCCH 712, and data 714. In certain embodiments, thePBCH 706, the PSS 708, the SSS 710 (e.g., including one or more SSS),and the C-PDCCH 712 may be part of one SS block. In the illustratedembodiment, the PBCH 706 is transmitted over a sub-bandwidth 716 (e.g.,12 RBs). Moreover, the PSS 708 and the SSS 710 occupy some REs from afirst control resource set 718, a second control resource set 720, and athird control resource set 722.

In one embodiment, a remote unit 102 may assume that a NE transmits SSblocks within an SS block transmission window. In such an embodiment,the SS block transmission window may include one or more slots within anSS burst set period. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, an SS blockincluding the PSS 708, the SSS 710 (e.g., one or more SSS, a tertiarysynchronization channel “TSCH,” etc.), and the PBCH 706 may betransmitted in a DL control region of the slot 702 within an SS blocktransmission window. In various embodiments, a maximum of one SS blockmay be transmitted in a given slot. In some embodiments, a definition ofan SS block transmission window may facilitate limiting signalingoverhead for indicating an SS block location. However, in certainembodiments, a network may locate an SS block in any slot within a SSblock transmission window depending on scheduling needs for UL and/or DLtraffic. In various embodiments, even when a network serves UL dominatedtraffic, the network may still transmit SS blocks within a time windowby exploiting a DL control region that may be configured in every slot.

In one embodiment, the DL control region is located in a front part ofthe slot 702, and the PBCH 706, the PSS 708, the SSS 710, and theC-PDCCH 712 are time-domain multiplexed as shown in FIG. 7. In anotherembodiment, the DL control region is located in a back part of the slot702 (e.g., where the data 714 is shown in FIG. 7), and the PBCH 706, thePSS 708, the SSS 710, and the C-PDCCH 712 are time-domain multiplexed inthe back part of the slot 702. In certain embodiments, the PBCH 706 mayinclude one or two PBCH symbols. In various embodiments, the PBCH 706may proceed the PSS 708 in the DL control region as illustrated;however, in other embodiments, the PBCH 706 may follow the SSS 710 inthe DL control region or may be located between the PSS 708 and the SSS710.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of SS block transmissions 800. The SSblock transmissions 800 include a first group of SS blocks 802 and asecond group of SS blocks 803. The first group of SS blocks 802 and thesecond group of SS blocks 803 each include one type of SS block(designated by A and including PSS and one or more SSS) and another typeof SS block (designated by B and including PSS, one or more SSS, andPBCH). The first group of SS blocks 802 are transmitted over atransmission time 804 (e.g., 20 ms). Moreover, the first group of SSblocks 802 and the second group of SS blocks 803 are both transmittedwithin an SS block transmission window 806 (e.g., 40 ms). Furthermore,an SS burst set periodicity 808 (e.g., default of 80 ms) is illustrated.

In some embodiments, a maximum of two hundred SS blocks may betransmitted within the SS burst set periodicity 808. In certainembodiments, if a network is deployed in a frequency range above 6 GHzwith a default subcarrier spacing of 120 KHz, slot duration may be 0.125ms and 80 slots may be available per radio frame of 10 ms duration. Insuch embodiments, three hundred sixty slots may be available fortransmission of potentially up to two hundred SS blocks. In variousembodiments, the PBCH of 80 ms TTI is transmitted on one SS block of thefirst group of SS blocks 802 and one SS block of the second group of SSblocks 803 within the 80 ms SS burst set periodicity 808. In suchembodiments, the first and second SS blocks 802 and 803 carrying PBCHare transmitted on slot 0 of radio frames n_(f) fulfilling n_(f) mod 8=0and n_(f) mod 8=2. Because in such embodiments the PBCH TTI is 80 ms, apayload of PBCH may carry 7 bits indicating a system frame number(“SFN”) in which the SFN varies from 0 to 1023. In certain embodiments,a remote unit 102 may first determine a radio frame index within the 80ms PBCH TTI by decoding a portion of a detected SS block. The portion ofthe detected SS block may include 2 bits indicating a radio frame index(e.g., with 4 possibilities) within the 40 ms SS block transmissionwindow 806, 7 bits indicating a slot index (e.g., with 80 possibilities)within a radio frame, and cyclic redundancy check (“CRC”) bits. In suchembodiments, the remote unit 102 may detect PSS and/or SSS, decode aportion of the SS block, identify slot and/or frame timing informationfrom the decoded portion of the SS block, and decode the PBCH from theSS block.

In some embodiments, an NE may indicate whether a slot of an SS blocktransmission window 806 carries an SS block or not, via C-PDCCH, so thata remote unit 102 monitoring a DL control region of the slot mayproperly identify available control channel elements and/or REsavailable for PDSCH if the SS block is mapped to a portion of the PDCCHand/or PDSCH region. In certain embodiments, in response to a remoteunit 102 monitoring a slot within the SS block transmission window 806,the remote unit 102 may first receive and decode C-PDCCH, and thendetermine whether an SS block is transmitted in a DL control region ofthe slot (or anywhere in the slot). In various embodiments, controlchannel elements of a slot may be determined excluding resource elementsused for PSS and/or SSS transmission. In one embodiment in which PSSand/or SSS transmission is mapped to a portion of a PDSCH region, REsavailable for PDSCH may be determined excluding PDSCH resource elementsused for PSS and/or SSS transmission. In some embodiments, C-PDCCH maybe transmitted in a first DL OFDM symbol of a slot, and one example ofC-PDCCH transmission is shown in FIG. 7. In various embodiments, anetwork configures a larger DL control region for slots corresponding tothe SS block transmission window 806, to avoid a potential controlchannel resource deficiency and/or a control channel blocking issue.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment ofa method 900 for receiving a synchronization signal block. In someembodiments, the method 900 is performed by an apparatus, such as theremote unit 102. In certain embodiments, the method 900 may be performedby a processor executing program code, for example, a microcontroller, amicroprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, an auxiliary processing unit, a FPGA, orthe like.

The method 900 may include receiving 902 a synchronization signal block.In various embodiments, the method 900 includes detecting 904 a primarysynchronization signal and a broadcast channel of the synchronizationsignal block. In some embodiments, receiving the synchronization signalblock includes 906 receiving at least one synchronization signal blockof multiple synchronization signal blocks within a time window and thebroadcast channel includes multiple sub-bands.

In certain embodiments, at least one sub-band of the multiple sub-bandscarries a self-decodable unit. In one embodiment, the method 900includes detecting at least one secondary synchronization signal of thesynchronization signal block. In a further embodiment, each sub-band ofthe multiple sub-bands carries at least one self-decodable unit. Incertain embodiments, a first sub-band of the multiple sub-bands is asame size as a second sub-band of the multiple sub-bands. In variousembodiments, a first sub-band of the multiple sub-bands is a differentsize than a second sub-band of the multiple sub-bands. In someembodiments, a first sub-band of the multiple sub-bands is located at acentral portion of the broadcast channel, and a second sub-band of themultiple sub-bands is located on both sides of the central portion. Incertain embodiments, the method 900 includes receiving only the firstsub-band and decoding channel bits transmitted on the first sub-band.

In various embodiments, the at least one self-decodable unit includescoded and rate-matched channel bits. In some embodiments, the primarysynchronization signal, at least one secondary synchronization signal,and the broadcast channel are transmitted in one slot. In certainembodiments, the method 900 includes determining slot and frame timinginformation from the synchronization signal block. In variousembodiments, the time window including the multiple synchronizationsignal blocks occurs periodically. In some embodiments, the time windowincludes 5 ms or 10 ms. In certain embodiments, the broadcast channelcarries a system frame number. In various embodiments, the broadcastchannel carries slot and frame timing related information.

In some embodiments, the method 900 includes: receiving a common controlchannel in a first slot; determining whether a synchronization signalblock is transmitted in a downlink region of the first slot based on thecommon control channel; and identifying available downlink resourceelements for a physical downlink shared channel or a physical downlinkcontrol channel in the downlink region of the first slot. In certainembodiments, the first slot is within a synchronization signal blocktransmission window, and the synchronization signal block transmissionwindow includes at least one slot for transmitting synchronizationsignal blocks. In various embodiments, a size of a downlink controlregion of the first slot is different from a size of a downlink controlregion of a second slot, and the second slot is not within thesynchronization signal block transmission window.

FIG. 10 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment ofa method 1000 for transmitting a synchronization signal block. In someembodiments, the method 1000 is performed by an apparatus, such as thenetwork unit 104. In certain embodiments, the method 1000 may beperformed by a processor executing program code, for example, amicrocontroller, a microprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, an auxiliary processingunit, a FPGA, or the like.

The method 1000 may include determining 1002 a synchronization signalblock including a primary synchronization signal and a broadcastchannel. In various embodiments, the method 1000 includes transmitting1004 the synchronization signal block. In certain embodiments,transmitting the synchronization signal block includes 1006 transmittingmultiple synchronization signal blocks within a time window and thebroadcast channel includes multiple sub-bands.

In certain embodiments, at least one sub-band of the multiple sub-bandscarries a self-decodable unit. In one embodiment, the method 1000includes determining at least one secondary synchronization signal ofthe synchronization signal block. In a further embodiment, each sub-bandof the multiple sub-bands carries at least one self-decodable unit. Incertain embodiments, a first sub-band of the multiple sub-bands is asame size as a second sub-band of the multiple sub-bands. In variousembodiments, a first sub-band of the multiple sub-bands is a differentsize than a second sub-band of the multiple sub-bands. In someembodiments, a first sub-band of the multiple sub-bands is located at acentral portion of the broadcast channel, and a second sub-band of themultiple sub-bands is located on both sides of the central portion.

In various embodiments, the at least one self-decodable unit includescoded and rate-matched channel bits. In some embodiments, the primarysynchronization signal, at least one secondary synchronization signal,and the broadcast channel are transmitted in one slot. In certainembodiments, slot and frame timing information are determined from thesynchronization signal block. In various embodiments, the time windowincluding the multiple synchronization signal blocks occursperiodically. In some embodiments, the time window includes 5 ms or 10ms. In certain embodiments, the broadcast channel carries a system framenumber. In various embodiments, the broadcast channel carries slot andframe timing related information.

In some embodiments, the method 1000 includes transmitting a commoncontrol channel in a first slot. In certain embodiments, the first slotis within a synchronization signal block transmission window, and thesynchronization signal block transmission window includes at least oneslot for transmitting synchronization signal blocks. In variousembodiments, a size of a downlink control region of the first slot isdifferent from a size of a downlink control region of a second slot, andthe second slot is not within the synchronization signal blocktransmission window.

Embodiments may be practiced in other specific forms. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving asynchronization signal block; and detecting a primary synchronizationsignal of the received synchronization signal block; and detecting asubportion of a broadcast channel of the received synchronization signalblock, wherein the broadcast channel comprises a plurality of sub-bands,wherein the detecting of the subportion comprises detecting only a firstsub-band among the plurality of sub-bands of the broadcast channel, thefirst sub-band of the broadcast channel comprises a subportion ofbroadcast channel bits, and the subportion of broadcast channel bits isindependently decoded into information that is used; wherein receivingthe synchronization signal block comprises receiving at least onesynchronization signal block of a plurality of synchronization signalblocks placed at a plurality of time instances within a 5 ms timewindow.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting at leastone secondary synchronization signal of the synchronization signalblock.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein each sub-band of the pluralityof sub-bands carries at least one self-decodable unit.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the at least one self-decodable unit comprises codedand rate-matched channel bits.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst sub-band of the plurality of sub-bands is a same size as a secondsub-band of the plurality of sub-bands.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the first sub-band of the plurality of sub-bands is a differentsize than a second sub-band of the plurality of sub-bands.
 7. The methodof claim 1, wherein the first sub-band of the plurality of sub-bands islocated at a central portion of the broadcast channel, and a secondsub-band of the plurality of sub-bands is located on both sides of thecentral portion.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising receivingonly the first sub-band of plurality of sub-bands.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the primary synchronization signal, at least onesecondary synchronization signal, and the broadcast channel aretransmitted in one slot.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprisingdetermining slot and frame timing information from the synchronizationsignal block.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the 5 ms time windowincluding the plurality of synchronization signal blocks occursperiodically.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcast channelcarries a system frame number.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein thebroadcast channel carries slot and frame timing related information. 14.The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a common controlchannel in a first slot; determining whether the synchronization signalblock is transmitted in a downlink region of the first slot based on thecommon control channel; and identifying available downlink resourceelements for a physical downlink shared channel or a physical downlinkcontrol channel in the downlink region of the first slot.
 15. The methodof claim 14, wherein the first slot is within a synchronization signalblock transmission window, and the synchronization signal blocktransmission window comprises at least one slot for transmittingsynchronization signal blocks.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein asize of a downlink control region of the first slot is different from asize of a downlink control region of a second slot, and the second slotis not within the synchronization signal block transmission window. 17.An apparatus comprising: a receiver that receives a synchronizationsignal block; and a processor that: detects a primary synchronizationsignal of the received synchronization signal block; and detects asubportion of a broadcast channel of the received synchronization signalblock, wherein the broadcast channel comprises a plurality of sub-bands,wherein the detecting of the subportion comprises detecting only a firstsub-band among the plurality of sub-bands of the broadcast channel, thefirst sub-band the broadcast channel comprises a subportion of broadcastchannel bits, and the subportion of broadcast channel bits isindependently decoded into information that is used; wherein receivingthe synchronization signal block comprises receiving at least onesynchronization signal block of a plurality of synchronization signalblocks placed at a plurality of time instances within a 5 ms timewindow.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each sub-band of theplurality of sub-bands carries at least one self-decodable unit.
 19. Amethod comprising: determining a synchronization signal block comprisinga primary synchronization signal and a broadcast channel, wherein thebroadcast channel comprises a plurality of sub-bands; and transmitting,to a receiving device, the synchronization signal block, whereintransmitting the synchronization signal block comprises transmitting atleast one synchronization signal block of a plurality of synchronizationsignal blocks placed at a plurality of time instances within a 5 ms timewindow, wherein the receiving device detects a subportion of thebroadcast channel of the synchronization by at least detecting only afirst sub-band among the plurality of sub-bands of the broadcastchannel, wherein the first sub-band of the broadcast channel comprises asubportion of broadcast channel bits, and wherein the subportion ofbroadcast channel bits is independently decoded into information that isused.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the primary synchronizationsignal, at least one secondary synchronization signal, and the broadcastchannel are transmitted in one slot.
 21. An apparatus comprising: aprocessor that determines a synchronization signal block comprising aprimary synchronization signal and a broadcast channel, wherein thebroadcast channel comprises a plurality of sub-bands; and a transmitterthat transmits, to a receiving device, the synchronization signal block,wherein the transmitter transmitting the synchronization signal blockcomprises the transmitter transmitting at least one synchronizationsignal block of a plurality of synchronization signal blocks placed at aplurality of time instances within a 5 ms time window, wherein thereceiving device detects a subportion of the broadcast channel of thesynchronization signal block, by at least detecting only a firstsub-band among the plurality of sub-bands of the broadcast channel, thefirst sub-band of the broadcast channel comprises a subportion ofbroadcast channel bits, and the subportion of broadcast channel bits isindependently decoded into information that is used.
 22. The apparatusof claim 21, wherein the time window including the plurality ofsynchronization signal blocks occurs periodically.